More and more retailers are doing their best to help Thanksgiving Day itself fade to black.

Leading the brigade, Walmart Stores has set the pace by jump-starting its Black Friday deals sooner than ever before.

The leftover turkey and candied sweet potatoes will barely be cold when the merchandising behemoth begins luring Christmas shoppers away from their comfy couches at 8 p.m. on Thursday, two hours earlier than last year.

Advertisement

It could be argued that the chain is continuing the seasonal head start it instigated by offering its revived layaway program a month sooner than the year before.

Walmart will take a self-described “historic” step to ensure wish list must-haves like the Apple iPad2 will be available for customers during a special one-hour event on Thursday.

“We know it’s frustrating for customers to shop on Black Friday and not get the items they want,” noted Duncan Mac Naughton, Walmart U.S. chief merchandising and marketing officer. “This year, for the first time ever, customers that shop during Walmart’s one-hour event will be guaranteed to have three of the most popular items under their tree at a great low price.”

The world’s largest retailer guarantees that customers who are inside the store and lined up between 10 and 11 p.m. on Thursday can purchase an Apple iPad2 16GB with Wif-Fi at the promised price of $399 (plus a $75 Walmart gift card), as well as an Emerson 32-inch LCD TV for $148 and an LG Blu-Ray Player for $38.

If any of these gems sell out before 11 p.m., Walmart will extend a Guarantee Card for the item, which must be paid for by midnight and registered online. The item will then be shipped to the store where it was purchased for pickup before Christmas.

Shoppers can jump into 22 nonstop hours of KoP-style craziness more prematurely as well, with The Plaza and The Court in King of Prussia opening at the stroke of midnight on Friday.

“In response to feedback from our customers and the success of the retailers who opened at midnight last year, we have decided to officially open our doors at midnight on Black Friday to accommodate eager shoppers who want to get an early start on their holiday purchases,” said Kathy Smith, Director of Marketing and Business Development at King of Prussia Mall. “We will offer our customers 22 hours of Black Friday shopping (12 a.m. to 10 p.m.) along with special midnight treats to overnight visitors, making it easier than ever to find the perfect gift at the perfect price.”

To help rookies and seasoned shoppers alike navigate the dependable Black Friday chaos, the mall is offering a bunch of amenities, such as the return of the courtesy holiday shuttle to transport shoppers looking to cover more ground in less time. A mobile app and daily Facebook and Twitter updates will keep shoppers apprised of the hottest deals, just like last year.

“We’re very excited to be able to offer our shoppers more retail options this holiday season than ever before with the opening of more than 15 new retailers in 2012,” Smith said. “These retailers comprise some of the most sought-after names in retail and include: Athleta; Arhaus; Aveda Experience Center; Burton; C. Wonder; Longchamp; Marmot; Omega; Spanx; TAG Heuer; Tommy Bahama; and UNIKID. In addition to the new retailer openings, the mall has also completed the redevelopment of the former Wanamaker’s corridor which offers shoppers a beautiful two-story shopping space.”

Not to be beaten to the punch, Plymouth Meeting Mall will also open its doors at midnight on Friday.

“In addition to the midnight openings and exclusive discounts, there will be refreshments, entertainment and giveaways, creating enjoyable, convenient experiences for the official kick-off of the holiday shopping season,” she noted.